FIU Golden Panthers football
| FIU Panthers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
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 |
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| First season | 2002 | ||
| Head coach |
Butch Davis 1st year, 0–0 (–) |
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| Stadium | FIU Stadium | ||
| Year built | 1995 | ||
| Seating capacity | 23,500 | ||
| Field surface | Field Turf | ||
| Location | Miami Florida | ||
| Conference | C-USA | ||
| Division | East | ||
| All-time record | 52–112 (.317) | ||
| Bowl record | 1–1 (.500) | ||
| Conference titles | 1 | ||
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
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| Mascot | Roary the Panther | ||
| Rivals | Florida Atlantic Owls | ||
| Website | FIUSports.com | ||
FIU Panthers football program represents Florida International University (FIU) in the sport of American football. The Panthers compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the East Division of Conference USA (CUSA). They will be coached by Butch Davis for the start of the 2017 season. FIU has produced an Sun Belt Conference co-championship team in 2010, along with 2 postseason bowl appearances. The Panthers play their home games at FIU Stadium which has a seating capacity of 23,500.
On 1 September 1999, when after several years of contemplating the commencement of a football team, FIU moved a step closer by hiring Don Strock to be FIU's Director of Football Operations. One year later, Don Strock was named Head Coach with plans to lay the foundations for a college football team. QB David Tabor was the first FIU football recruit. In February 2002, FIU found its star QB in highly touted Jamie Burke from Cardinal Mooney High, Sarasota, Florida. Burke was the only player to ever throw for over 500 yards in a single game in Florida as well as led the state in touchdown passes in a season with 34. Burke was being recruited by the University of Florida but opted instead for FIU when Steve Spurrier left to coach the Washington Redskins. FIU had everything it needed to begin competing in NCAA Football. FIU was placed in the Division I-AA level as an Independent team.
FIU won its inaugural game on August 29, 2002 against Saint Peter's College (New Jersey), 27–3. The team fared fairly well against the competition that season and managed to finish with a 5-6 record. The Golden Panthers then hoped to build on that in the coming 2003 season. FIU signed to play more challenging teams of the division in hopes to get more recognition as a solid football team. The opening game of the following season started with a loss to Indiana State and it led to a 0–8 start for the second-year team. They failed to reach the standard set the season before and fell to a 2–10 season. The next season followed with similar results, finishing with a 3–7 record.
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